Gifted Endorsement

Overview

The purpose of the Northwest Georgia RESA Gifted Endorsement Program is to prepare the candidate to function as a classroom teacher of the Gifted in member systems and agencies. Goals for the candidate completing the Gifted Endorsement Program are:

to develop expertise in Gifted instruction for identified gifted students

to develop expertise in assessment, including a variety of informal and performance-based assessments as well as placement and achievement assessments and

to become a leader in professional development and in collaborations involving Gifted instruction with teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, families and communities

To meet these purposes there are several principles on which the Gifted Endorsement Program is based. The candidate specializing in gifted education needs:

In-depth knowledge of the highly specialized instructional needs of gifted students

A thorough understanding of the historical and theoretical underpinnings of current beliefs and practices

Knowledge of current research in gifted education and the related fields of learning theory to support decision-making as trends move through the field of practice

Critical thinking skills as a consumer and practitioner of gifted education